I think one of the biggest problems with any organization wether your a PTO or PTA, is that some people forget why we do this all together. I for one don't spend countless hours working on organizing and making sure that things get done for my sake. We do this to make our children's elementary years better. I think that in today's world of selfishness, it's nice to teach our children the lessons of volunteering. When we volunteer for the right reasons, I can't imagine things going bad.
As far as the comment about "clicks", unfortunatley sometimes that happens, but all I say to people is you must try and break that chain. If your not well liked because of it, you have to rally people around you that do like you and try to break it.
To answer about the Principal, you need that person on your side. Life goes alot easier when their on your side. I know personally one thing that has helped me, is that I also sit on School Improvement Team and that gets the Principal a chance to know that I'm not just here to ask for things.

I am still unsure of some issues with transitioning to a PTO. What about administrative support from the Principal? What else needs to be done besides the bank account and the tax exempt? We have already started working on new bylaws. Please send me some insight. This is all about the kids!

Having been a past PTA President and a current PTO Co-President I have seen both sides. Of course it is nice not to have to ask members to pay high dues. As a matter of fact at my current school we chose not to charge any dues this year as we are a new school and wanted to make every parent of the school a member of our PTO. There was a situation at the school I was PTA President where parents were causing alot of trouble for the teachers, principal and PTO. They were making all kind of threats. I had the Principal telling me what she wanted me to do. I was fortunate to have a wonderful PTA State Director to call for guidance and to find out how to handle the possible trouble that was going to occur at our meeting. This person even offered to come to our meeting. I found out that what the principal was telling me to do was not the correct way to handle the situation. When I told the principal that State PTA told me how to handle it she let me do it my way and things turned out wonderfully. I was so thankful to be part of a PTA. Of course there are advantages to both. You have to chose the type of group you feel is right for your school.

Looks like six of one, half dozen of the other... I just thought I would add my two cents anyway. I am the president of an elementary school PTVO. I came from a city where the schools were PTA. I would say the biggest difference is the money to join. Either way, a PTVO or PTA is exactly what you make of it. I joined the PTA at our old school and there was never a single meeting, the "click" did the school pix (you get yours free if you help out) and nothing else was ever done. I never received a notice or newsletter or anything. I called to find out when the meetings were and was told that we had no set meeting dates and that everything was still being organized. I know my friggin' check was cashed, but that was the last I heard from the PTA. As for my current situation: Our school PTVO is free to join, has set meeting dates and times and is very public about it's goings on. We invite not only parents and teachers, but community volunteers as well. We carry a board of officers (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) and find that, overall, it works very well. Everyone gets to express an opinion and have it considered during a vote. Best idea wins. So, I would say that it is up to you. We decide how and when to earn money; How, when and where to spend it; We worry about our own school and help out other schools when and however we can but our decisions are decided by us, not a national organization who doesn't know the in's and out's of our geographical location, our school, our needs, our children. For me, the decision is easy...I've seen both sides of the coin. OH! As for a voice in legislature: As with most things political, a few people get to decide FOR YOU what they think you want or need.

On term limits, I suggest a compromise. Our bylaws state that no officer or committe chair shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive years, unless approved by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.

This encourages turnover, but allows a relatively easy solution if you do get into a situation where no one wants the office but the current officer is willing to go a third year.